Best Of

Yes, Japan is much more strict about this kind of thing. There is even a law about when A/C can be turned on in public places.
We went to Japan in September 2023 and the only place that could be described as a bit hot was Tokyo, my least family part
The Japanese love French cuisines and take their guests to French restaurants to impress people, I remember being a bit surprised about that when we were first guests in Japan abut thirty years ago
I’m convinced Tauck don’t do many authentic local meals in some countries became there seem to be so many picky eaters on their tours.
When I’m on a Tauck tour and I see it’s a buffet. I just dread it. People just stand and stare at the food instead of getting on and just getting the food. It means an even longer lunch break than the tours already seem to have these days. Oh… And smaller groups are no better.

Tauck 2024 Essence of Japan lists the activity level at 2 while the 2025 itenerary lists it as a 3. The 2025 rating is more realistic. Tauck does not mention walking on cobelstones uphill and dowhill, it notes walking of 2 miles per day- that is only to get from bus to train stations and does not include sites. The weather in September 2024 was very hot and would recommend for all the tour buses to start their engines and the AC before the guests arrive to the bus rather than when they arrive. Overall a great trip but would recommed more Japanese restaurants/cuisine rather than french. Going to fish market before we went to Nobu, why not utilize the perfect environment for the guests to enjoy a meal at the fish markets. Also would recomend more time visiting the sites, ex. Glass Botanical Museum then spending more than an hour sitting down for lunch

Maximgr, glad you are finally able to take this trip after the 3 prior cancellations. You will enjoy it. I did not keep a list of the restaurants we went to but we discovered them through our customary online research (Conde Nast Traveler, Michelin, Tripadvisor, Fodors Travel Guide, NY Times) and then confirmed with the concierges that they would be worthwhile. As to credit cards, they are widely accepted but not for the subways. For subways, you can use cash or "Welcome Suica", which can be downloaded as an app or through Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. Here is a link-:https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/welcomesuica/welcomesuica.html